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Buffalo Bills: 3 Positions on defense to improve this offseason

By Kendall Mirsky

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his interception with Taron Johnson #24 during the first half against the New York Jets at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his interception with Taron Johnson #24 during the first half against the New York Jets at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills intercepts a pass intended for Jamison Crowder #82 of the New York Jets during the first half at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills intercepts a pass intended for Jamison Crowder #82 of the New York Jets during the first half at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

This last area to improve is almost entirely circumstantial and dependent on the impending free agency of Matt Milano. The Buffalo Bills will certainly explore how expensive it will be to keep Milano on their defense, but if it’s too steep the draft may be the best solution moving forward.

With the way the Bills have improved on offense, it would be valid to argue that the Bills were successful in spite of Milano in 2020. Milano missed six regular season games this year and was dinged up for a few other games in which he was active. With that being said, Milano is extremely important to this defense and it’s easy to notice the positive effect he has on the defense when he’s active. The Bills went 12-1 in games that Milano played this season.

General Manager Brandon Beane will have a tough decision this offseason; is it worth keeping Milano on the team despite a high cap hit, or will a cheaper replacement in the draft be more prudent towards sustainable success? If he wants cap flexibility, Beane will have to let Milano walk and trust his scouting department to find his replacement.

If there is ever a year to let an athletic and rangy linebacker like Milano walk in free agency, this may be the one. This year’s draft doesn’t have a lot of undeniable mike linebacker types, but there’s a bunch of will linebacker types available. Some guys that could come right in and potentially fill the Milano role in this Buffalo defense include guys like Nick Bolton, Chazz Surratt, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Dylan Moses, Tony Fields II and Jabril Cox.

By letting Milano go the Bills would likely have enough cap space to re-sign Daryl Williams. Additionally, this would leave Beane some cap space for any potential trades he would like to pull during the season to improve the team.

3 positions on offense Bills should improve this offseason. dark. Next

It’s too early to tell, but it’s better to be prepared for the possibility that the Bills let Milano go this offseason. This way fans can see that if Beane decides to let certain players walk in free agency this offseason, it will clearly be a calculated decision that is best for the future of the Buffalo Bills.

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